What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

• Music Directors and Conductors: Music directors and conductors lead instrumental and vocal performances by groups such as choirs, orchestras, and singing clubs. They audition and select the performers and lead rehearsals.
• Music Producers: Music producers work in multimedia environments with new technologies to create music for games, the Internet, videos, and movies.
• Music Educators: Music educators can work as enrichment teachers for groups or in private instruction, and can teach part time.  A master's degree plus a teacher's certification or license is required to teach at public elementary and secondary schools.
• Musicians and Vocalists: Instrumentalists and vocalists usually work on a short-term arrangement or part-time basis. They can work nearly anywhere, but most performing jobs and recording studios are in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
• Music Business Managers: The music industry employs professionals with music backgrounds and education to work behind the scenes in positions such as marketing and promotions, concert management, and as agents and managers of artists and performers.
• Music Composers and Arrangers: Composers create original music that ranges from symphonies, operas, and film scores to popular songs and advertising jingles.

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What degree levels are available?

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 1.5-2 years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: 3-5 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

Musicians and vocalists need extensive training and practice to obtain the skills and knowledge required to interpret music at a professional level. Most people learn to play an instrument at an early age and gain experience playing in school bands or orchestras, musicals, and choirs. Long term, on-the-job training is the most common way to learn to become a professional musician or vocalist. Music degrees provide the depth of knowledge necessary for a strong foundation for these and a multitude of other careers involving music.

Music program degrees are offered at every educational level. When considering a music education program, you will want to be certain a school of music is accredited. You can check out school's listing with The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which is the sole national accrediting agency for music education. An audition is often necessary to qualify for some programs in music. Coursework includes classes such as music theory, music interpretation, and composition. Music conductors, directors, and composers also need advanced training in these subjects and usually must have a master's or doctoral degree. A master's or doctoral degree is required to teach advanced music courses in colleges and universities, while a bachelor's degree may be enough to teach basic courses. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in music education may obtain a certificate from their state to teach music in public elementary and secondary schools. Those who do not have a bachelor's degree may still be able to teach music in private schools or through private lessons.

Upon earning a bachelor's degree in music from an accredited institution, graduates may pursue a state teaching certification. This will enable them to teach music in public schools, according to individual state requirements. Music teachers may choose to become certified through the Music Teachers National Association. The certification process takes up to one year and requires the submission of a professional profile. The MTNA professional certification program is designed to establish competency for the music teaching professional.

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

• Music Theory: This is an absolutely essential basic course that all music students can expect at the beginning of their education. Students learn the fundamentals of music, including melody, harmony, composition, and style.
• Sightreading: Music students concentrating on performance will need to acquire the skill of sightreading for their academic and professional careers; sightreading is the ability to sit down with a piece of music and begin playing even when you haven't seen the music before.
• Legal Aspects of Music and Entertainment: Students specializing in music business or law will need a strong background in this area. Students cover issues like copyright as they pertain specifically to the music industry.
• Music Management: This course is intended to provide students focusing in music business or management with a foundation of skills to prepare them for their careers, covering topics like contract negotiations, artist publicity, and public relations.
• Music Distribution: For both performers and managers, this course covers the various aspects of recording and publishing music. Students study forms of distribution, principles of pricing, and structures for royalties.

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If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?

Although on-site training is not commonly required for online music schools, students interested in working in the music industry professionally, especially as performers, are well-advised to gain some experience before graduation. Working musicians are constantly in need of finding gigs, locations, and other elements of putting on a performance, so students should begin practicing for their careers as soon as possible. For students hoping to work in other aspects of the music industry like management or marketing can also benefit from gaining professional experience before graduation that may make them more attractive to employers.

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

There are a handful of technical careers that overlap with music, such as audio production and sound editing. People in those fields also require a keen ear and a passion for sound. These careers do require a different type of technical expertise, which some people may prefer. Also, those with experience in music could try their hand at theater, particularly musicals, both on-stage or behind the scenes. Musical knowledge is also valuable in the movie and television industry.

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